How to Communicate (and Collaborate) With Your Headshot Makeup Artist

In a perfect world, hiring a hair and makeup artist will ease a lot of the pressure that comes with getting new headshots. However, it can be intimidating to literally put your face in someone else’s hands. As a headshot makeup artist for almost 10 years, I’ve learned that it really is a team effort. Here are some of the best ways to work with your artist and nail your look.
Introduce yourself. I always ask my clients a few questions about their personal style and what kind of characters they typically play before we get started. This way I can get a feel for what kind of look they need. If your artist doesn’t ask, be sure to volunteer the information yourself. If you are doing multiple looks, come up with a game plan together to complement your wardrobe and the variety of types you want to capture.
Bring visual aids. Nothing can derail a consultation with your makeup artist like vague descriptions such as “dark eyes” or “natural look.” Terms like these mean different things to different people so don’t be afraid to pull up some photos that illustrate exactly what you want. Check the makeup artist’s website for examples of their other work. I find it especially helpful